A number of South Africa’s leading MPs have called into question the motioning of a bill that will regulate the country’s online interactive gambling industry.

ANC MP Ben Turok launched an attack on the trade and industry department (dti) arguing that monitoring of the igambling industry still overlooked the fact that online gambling is 'an evil activity' and that collecting taxes from gambling revenue was akin to taxing prostitution or even crime.

Les Labuschagne of the Democratic Alliance also echoed the feelings of ANC MPs: 'I wonder why we need this bill. Why don't we just prohibit it [interactive gambling]?'

The revised draft of the National Gambling Amendment bill outlines the need for approval of interactive games, equipment and software, registration of players and the need to implement dispute resolution procedures for players.

Other provisions include the protection of minors and vulnerable people from exploitation as well as stipulating guidelines for advertising, licensing, compliance and enforcement, problem gambling, and money laundering.